Butler gives Holtmann contract extension

Indianapolis, IN (SportsNetwork.com) - Butler coach Chris Holtmann has signed a contract extension through the 2020-21 season, the school announced Monday.

Holtmann, 43, took over the program in October after Brandon Miller was granted an indefinite medical leave of absence and was named the head coach in January.

He guided Butler to a 23-11 overall record, a 12-6 mark in the Big East and a seventh NCAA Tournament berth in nine years.

The Bulldogs, seeded sixth in the Midwest Region, opened with a win over Texas before losing to Notre Dame in the round of 32.

"Under challenging circumstances, Chris Holtmann stepped in this past season and quickly demonstrated himself worthy of continuing the Butler legacy of excellent coaching and thoughtful leadership ... that has underpinned Butler's success," Butler president James Danko said in a statement.

Holtmann led the Bulldogs to a nine-win improvement over the 2013-14 season and to five victories against ranked teams, tying the most in program history.

He was the head coach at Gardner-Webb for three years before joining Miller's staff for the 2013-14 season.